There is no plan at present to connect the Westport water mains to Louisburg, which means residents in Murrisk and Lecanvey will have to make do with their current water supply from Croagh Patrick.

This is not a sustainable proposition for local residents, or for the thousands of tourists visiting Croagh Patrick and the famine memorial in Murrisk, according to Westport-based Independent Councillor Christy Hyland.

Councillor Hyland raised this issue on Midwest News recently, saying Murrisk is a national pilgrimage site with over 120,000 visiting Croagh Patrick each year, yet signs in the carpark are advising visitors not to drink the water.

Councillors agreed at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the West Mayo Municipal District that they would hold their next meeting in Murrisk to meet the people most affected.

Speaking with Midwest News, Councillor Hyland said he was informed at yesterday’s meeting that connecting the Westport water supply to Louisburg via Murrisk is not currently included in Irish Water’s capital programme…..